Wednesday 15 January 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, January 5, 2014

Malacanang open to moving school opening to September

Malacanang said on Sunday that it was open to the proposal moving the school opening from June to September, saying this was in line with the preparation of the creation of an ASEAN Integration in 2015.

In a radio interview aired over government run radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication and Operation Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. said that this proposal was also in line with the advocacy of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) of ASEAN mobility which aims to provide easier travel of people within the region.

“Bukas ang pamahalaan sa pag-aaral ng panukalang ilipat ang panahon ng pagbubukas ng klase para sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad, mula Hunyo patungong Setyembre, bilang paghahanda sa pag-iisa ng ating mga kasaping bansa sa ASEAN sa ilalim ng konsepto ng ASEAN integration simula sa taong 2015,” Coloma said.

“Layunin din ng panukalang ito ang pagtugon ng ating bansa sa panawagang bigyang-daan ang ASEAN mobility, o ang malayang paglalakbay ng mga mamamayan sa bansang ASEAN upang mag-aral sa mga paaralang may internasyonal na orientasyon, at upang magamit ang kanilang mga kakayahan o talento sa iba’t ibang larangang propesyonal,” he added.

He however stressed the importance of having to further study this proposal in order to come to a fruitful decision on the matter.

“Ipinauubaya ng pamahalaan sa Kongreso, bilang kapantay at independiyenteng sangay, ang pangunguna sa pagkilos sa paglipat sa schedule ng pagbubukas ng klase dahil ito ay napapaloob sa batas,” Coloma said.

“Sa kasalukuyan patuloy na tatalima ang pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa isinasaad ng batas tungkol sa itinatakdang panahon ng pagbubukas ng klase,” he added. PND (rck)


Palace: Additional SSS, Philhealth contributions studied carefully

The higher contribution rates for the Social Security System and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had been carefully studied and are within the bounds of the law, Malacañang maintained Sunday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the increase is minimal and affordable, and will bring greater benefits to the people.

"Malinaw po sa pagpapahayag natin na ang kinauukulang pagtaas sa kontribusyon ng SSS at PhilHealth ay: 1) produkto po ng masusing pag-aaral at konsultasyon; 2) tinimbang po at tiniyak na hindi magiging masyadong mabigat, bagkus ito ay magaan at kayang pasanin ng mga kinauukulan; at 3) ito po ay nagreresulta sa mas makabuluhang mga benepisyo para sa mga kasapi ng SSS at PhilHealth (It is clear that the higher contributions for SSS and PhilHealth are the result of a thorough study to make sure they will not be a burden on members, and will result in greater benefits for members)," he said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Because of this, he said the government has no plan to stop implementing the higher contributions.

Starting January, the SSS and PhilHealth has started collecting higher contributions from members, even as some sectors complained about the adjustment.

When asked if government plans to stop implementing the adjustment, Coloma said: "Batay po iyan sa masusing pag-aaral, naaayon din po sa batas, wala pong planong ipatigil iyan dahil sa mga kadahilanang nabanggit na rin sa aking pahayag (The move was based on thorough studies and is within the law. There is no plan to stop it)."

He also reiterated the higher contributions are in the context of social protection, where the proceeds are to benefit the poor.

Coloma noted PhilHealth presently covers 80 percent of the population, including four million poor families availing of the conditional cash transfer program.

He said the four million families are considered sponsored members and are not covered by the higher rate.

On the other hand, he said employees and individually paying members and overseas Filipino workers can afford the higher contribution, which he said amounts to P200 from the previous P100 - or an increase of just P3 a day.

Such contributions entitle members to access to health services in 85 public hospitals nationwide, he added.

"Kaya dapat pong unawain ang konteksto nitong mga social protection program na tinuring natin, dalawa na nga po diyan ‘yung PhilHealth at SSS contribution (We should understand the context of the social protection program as far as the SSS and PhilHealth are concerned)," he said.

As for the SSS contributions, Coloma said the increase in contributions is needed to prevent the agency's funds from drying up.

"Sa sandaling maubos ang pondo ng SSS, buong sambayanan ang siyang babalikat ng mga pangangailangan ng mga pensyonado dahil sa garantiya ng pamahalaan (Once the SSS' funds are depleted, all Filipinos have to shoulder the costs of pension because the pensions are guaranteed by the government)," he said.

Coloma also said the increase in premium or employee/employer contribution to the SSS starting Jan. 1 amounts to 0.6 percent of the monthly contributions.

This will bring down by P166 billion the unfunded liabilities of the SSS, which had amounted to P1.078 trillion, he added.

Also, Coloma said the adjustment stemmed from consultations with traders' groups including the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

Because of this, he said the maximum daily allowance for illness will go up by P30, from P450 to P480.

He also said the maximum daily allowance of maternity benefits will go up by P33 from P500 to P533 daily.

As for retirement pensions, he said members who contributed for 10 years under the P6,000 maximum salary credit may get a P400 increase in their monthly pensions.

Those who contributed 40 years using the maximum salary credit are entitled to an P800 increase in monthly pension, he added. PND (jl)


Palace: Government working to ensure brownout-free summer

This early, the government is working to ensure there will be no power outages during the hot summer months, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the Department of Energy is coordinating with stakeholders to ensure a stable power supply.

"Hindi po pwedeng mapahintulutan yung pagkakaroon ng malawakan o madalas na brownout dahil magiging masama po ang epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya. Kaya makatitiyak po tayo na patuloy na tinututukan ng ating Department of Energy ang sitwasyon (We cannot allow widespread or frequent power outages because it will be bad for the economy. We can expect the DOE to continue monitoring the situation)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He said the DOE is working with the concerned stakeholders to balance the power supply and demand to address possible power outages.

Meanwhile, Coloma reiterated the government is open to concrete proposals that will protect consumers from unjust power rate hikes.

He said the government is open to a study of the 12-year-old Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA)'s provisions.

"Pagkatapos ng lampas sa 12 taong pag-iral ng batas, napapanahon nang suriin ang mga probisyon ng batas upang tanggalin ang mga nakikitang kahinaan nito, at palitan ng mga bagong atas na naaayon sa kapakanan ng sambayanan (After more than 12 years it is time to study the provisions of the law and replace its weak points with provisions that will benefit the people)," he said. PND (jl)


Palace: 100M Philippine population a challenge and an opportunity

The prospect of the Philippine population reaching the 100-million mark presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the Philippine Development Plan aims to make sure all Filipinos benefit from the nation's growth.

"Iyan po ay isang hamon at isa rin pong pagkakataon dahil ang tao po ang pinakamahalagang bumubuo ng anumang lipunan. Yan po ang balanseng pagtanaw natin sa sitwasyon na ‘yan (It is both a challenge and an opportunity because people are the most important resource. That is our balanced view of the situation)," he said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He said the Philippine Development Plan is geared for inclusive growth, to make sure all Filipinos benefit from economic growth.

Coloma also pointed out a large part of the budget for 2014 is geared for social protection and social welfare and development.

"Karamihan ng mga Pilipino hindi po dapat maipwera o mailagay sa isantabi ang nakararami (The majority of Filipinos should not be left out of any growth)," he said. PND (jl)


Government remains committed to giving justice to Atimonan massacre victims' kin

Malacañang on Sunday assured relatives of last year's Atimonan massacre that the government continues to work to make sure they get justice, one year after the incident.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said administrative and prosecution actions are being implemented to this end.

"Gagawin po ang mga kinakailangan sa larangan ng administrative at prosecution actions sa hanay po ng lahat ng mga concerned government agency para po magawaran ng katarungan ang mga naiwan ng mga nasawi sa kaganapang yan (All concerned government agencies are implementing all administrative and prosecution actions to ensure the victims' kin get justice)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

In early January last year, 13 people were killed after police and military personnel at a checkpoint in Atimonan town reportedly fired on their vehicles.

Families of the 13 victims appealed to the Aquino administration to speed up the resolution of the case and punish the guilty.

Later last year, the Department of Justice charged 13 law enforcers with multiple murder for the killing. PND (jl)


Palace to respect visits by allies, critics to former President Arroyo

Malacañang on Sunday said it will respect the visits to former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo by her allies and critics.

But Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. maintained the issue of the recent visits to Mrs. Arroyo is not a priority for the administration.

"Kung ano po ang naging pahayag nila ay iginagalang po natin ang lahat ng mga nagpahayag na iyan. Pero sa amin po, hindi po yan ang prayoridad na pinag-uukulan ng pansin, sapagkat marami pong mahahalagang usapin sa ating bansa tulad po ‘nung agarang rehabilitasyon at rekonstruksyon para sa mga nasalanta ng kalamidad ng ‘Yolanda’ at sa Zamboanga, pati po doon sa Bohol earthquake at ‘yung ‘Santi’ (We respect whatever Mrs. Arroyo's visitors said but that is not our priority. We are busy with the rehabilitation of areas affected by recent cyclones like Yolanda and Santi, and by the fighting in Zamboanga City and the Bohol quake)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

He also said the government is busy pursuing reforms and implementing the Philippine Development Plan.

Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Arroyo's allies and critics visited her at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Mrs. Arroyo has been under hospital arrest since December 2011, on charges of electoral sabotage. She now faces plunder charges as well.


Coloma maintained that while the Aquino administration has no ill will toward Mrs. Arroyo, it maintains the need to adhere to the accountability process. PND (jl)